Summer, Summer, Summertime

I think that's, hands down, the best song Will Smith ever did. Excuse me. I meant, the artist formerly known as the Fresh Prince. Whenever I hear it, I want to be rollin' along the street by the boardwalk in Seaside Heights, where I spent many summer nights, with the windows rolled down.

But I digress. Yes, it's summertime here in Alabama. It's 90-something freakin' degrees and pretty humid every day. Hence, the first BBQ my friends scheduled for the season, in honor of Summer's birthday, was moved indoors due to the heat.

It didn't stop us from having a great time, though! And great food. I contributed by making my Aunt Nancy's sweet and tangy Appleberry Salsa served with cinnamon and sugar pita chips (I buy Stacy's).

Here's how you put it together:

Dice 2 Granny Smith apples, 2 kiwis, and 1 c. of strawberries. Mix the diced fruit together and squeeze the juice of one fresh orange on top; mix again. Add 2 tbsp. of apple jelly and 2 tbsp. of packed brown sugar; mix again. (I actually forgot the brown sugar last weekend and I didn't notice at all! It's plenty sweet without the added sugar.)

I prefer to make this fruit salsa ahead of time and let it sit in the fridge, maybe overnight, to let the juices all mingle together (that's what she said). Then serve it cold with the pita chips.

I also contributed these lovely cupcakes to the birthday party, to coordinate with the birthday cake Summer's sister, Autumn, made.

Cupcakes:

Cake:

Holy moly that's gaga-licious!

Do you get it? Autumn made an awesome Lady Gaga cake that totally impressed everyone at the party! I was in awe. My not-nearly-as-impressive cupcakes were supposed to be paws...as in "Little Monsters"...as in "just put your paws up." Get it?

Summer about to eat Gaga's face

Happy Birthday, Summer!!